All Homeowners Are Entitled To A Number Of Exemptions To Their Property Taxes

We’d like to take this opportunity to highlight a couple exemptions seniors qualify for, which are particularly important. These exemptions amount to important savings with the other economic realities were are all presently facing. So much so, some owners have received these fancy postcards from the county (cover photo), encouraging you to apply if you do not already receive them.

(Special thanks to Board Treasurer Lloyd Allison for sharing his postcard, and suggesting this reminder for our website.)

Homeowner Exemption

First, most homeowners are eligible for this basic exemption if they own and occupy the property as their principal place of residence. Once this exemption is applied, the Assessor’s Office auto-renews it for you each year. This exemption provides savings by reducing the equalized assessed value of an eligible property. This exemption automatically renews each year, so once you’ve applied it should continue to reflect on your statements. Your are only eligible once you’ve lived a minimum of one year in the home, and can then apply for the first tax year in arrears – so for example, the filing period for tax year 2025 exemptions opened on March 9, 2026.

AND, IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY GETTING THIS EXEMPTION, YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND. You can apply for refunds for tax years 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021, if you owned, lived in your home since January 1st 2021, an find you are not getting this exemption – CONGRATS – you may qualify for a very tidy refund.

Senior Exemption

Most senior homeowners are eligible for this exemption if they are 65 years of age or older and own and occupy their property as their principal place of residence. Once this exemption is applied, the Assessor’s Office automatically renews it for you each year. A Senior Exemption provides property tax savings by reducing the equalized assessed value of an eligible property. This exemption also renews automatically each year and has the same timing nuances as the Homeowner’s exemption.

If you are not already receiving this, refunds can be sought for tax years 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021, if you were eligible in those periods.

And there are more exemptions available, including those for non-seniors:

• Senior Freeze Exemption
• Longtime Homeowner Exemption
• Home Improvement Exemption
• Returning Veterans’ Exemption
• Disabled Veterans’ Exemption
• Disabled Persons’ Exemption

For more information, visit the Cook Count Assessor’s website at: https://www.cookcountyassessoril.gov/exemptions